2026 vs 2027 Kia Sorento: What Changed
Published October 15, 2026 · Last updated November 12, 2026
The 2027 Kia Sorento is a carryover of the 2026 Sorento with a new paint color, a $400 price step on gas trims and a reshuffled hybrid lineup. This comparison is for New York City and Long Island shoppers deciding between a 2026 Sorento still on the lot and a 2027. The gas 2027 Sorento starts at $32,590, the 2027 Sorento Hybrid at $39,090 and the 2027 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid at $53,890, all before a $1,495 destination charge (Kia America).
Key takeaways
- Kia America priced the 2027 gas Sorento on October 1, 2026, the 2027 Sorento Hybrid on October 15 and the 2027 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid on October 19.
- Every 2027 gas Sorento trim costs $400 more than its 2026 launch price, from $32,590 for the LX to $47,990 for the X-Pro SX-Prestige; destination rises from $1,445 to $1,495.
- The 2027 Kia Sorento drops Jungle Green and adds Jade Black Green, a color first offered on the 2027 Telluride.
- The 2027 Sorento Hybrid adds an X-Line EX AWD trim ($43,090) and a standard head-up display on the X-Line SX-Prestige; EPA ratings stay at 37 mpg combined for the EX FWD.
- The 2027 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid now comes only as the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD at $53,890; the 2026 PHEV EX trim is discontinued.
- Engines, dimensions, seating and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating carry over; IIHS applies the rating to 2026–27 Sorentos built after September 2025.
2026 or 2027 Sorento: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2027 Sorento if you want Jade Black Green, the new Sorento Hybrid X-Line EX, or the head-up display on a Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige.
- Choose a 2026 Sorento if one is in stock in your trim with a clearance offer, if you want Jungle Green, or if you want a Plug-in Hybrid EX, which Kia dropped for 2027.
- Bottom line for NYC: the gas Sorento is mechanically identical across both years, so buy on price after incentives. The bigger decision for most families is Sorento versus the all-new 2027 Telluride.
Model-year timing: Kia priced the 2027 Sorento gas lineup on October 1, 2026, the Sorento Hybrid on October 15 and the Plug-in Hybrid on October 19. 2027 Sorentos are arriving at Plaza Kia alongside remaining 2026 stock. Start with our 2027 Kia Sorento trims, MPG and pricing guide and the 2027 Sorento Hybrid guide, size the Sorento against its stablemates in Kia Sportage vs Sorento and Kia Sorento vs Telluride, then browse new Kia Sorento inventory in Brooklyn.
2026 vs 2027 Kia Sorento at a Glance
The 2026 and 2027 Kia Sorento share the same body, engines, screens and safety rating; the differences are price, paint and the electrified trim lineup. Kia raised gas prices $400 per trim over 2026 launch pricing, the Sorento Hybrid gained a trim and a head-up display, and the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid lost its EX trim.
| Spec | 2026 Kia Sorento | 2027 Kia Sorento | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas starting MSRP | $32,190 (LX) at launch; $32,390 after Kia's mid-year increase. Destination $1,445 at launch | $32,590 (LX). Destination $1,495 | +$400 vs launch, +$50 destination |
| Top gas trim MSRP | $47,590 (X-Pro SX-Prestige) | $47,990 (X-Pro SX-Prestige) | +$400 |
| Hybrid MSRP | $38,890 (EX FWD) to $47,190 (X-Line SX-Prestige AWD) | $39,090 (EX FWD) to $47,590 (X-Line SX-Prestige AWD) | +$200 EX, +$400 SX-Prestige |
| Hybrid trims | EX FWD, EX AWD, X-Line SX-Prestige AWD | EX FWD, EX AWD, new X-Line EX AWD, X-Line SX-Prestige AWD | X-Line EX added |
| Plug-in Hybrid MSRP | $48,290 (EX AWD); $53,490 (X-Line SX-Prestige AWD) | $53,890 (X-Line SX-Prestige AWD only) | EX dropped; +$400 |
| Head-up display | Not offered on Hybrid or PHEV | Standard on Hybrid and PHEV X-Line SX-Prestige | New |
| Exterior colors | Includes Jungle Green | Jungle Green dropped; Jade Black Green added. Hybrid: Pale Gray replaces Steel Gray | New colors |
| Base engine (LX, S) | 2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp, 178 lb-ft; 8-speed automatic | 2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp, 178 lb-ft; 8-speed automatic | Same |
| Turbo engine (EX and up) | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp, 311 lb-ft; 8-speed dual-clutch | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp, 311 lb-ft; 8-speed dual-clutch | Same |
| Hybrid powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 6-speed automatic; Kia listed 227 hp, 258 lb-ft | Same 1.6L turbo hybrid, 6-speed automatic; Kia's 2027 sheet lists 232 hp, 270 lb-ft | Carryover hardware |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb) | 2.5L FWD 23/31/26; turbo FWD 20/29/23; Hybrid FWD 37/36/37 | 2.5L FWD 23/31/26; turbo FWD 20/29/23; Hybrid FWD 37/36/37 | Same |
| Seating | 6 or 7 | 6 or 7 | Same |
| Dimensions | 189.6 in L / 110.8 in WB / 74.8 in W | 189.6 in L / 110.8 in WB / 74.8 in W | Same |
| Cargo behind 3rd / 2nd / 1st row | 12.6 / 45.0 / 75.5 cu ft | 12.6 / 45.0 / 75.5 cu ft | Same |
| Max towing | 2,000 lb (2.5L); 3,500 lb (turbo); 4,500 lb (X-Pro) | 2,000 lb (2.5L); 3,500 lb (turbo); 4,500 lb (X-Pro) | Same |
| IIHS award | Top Safety Pick+ (built after September 2025) | Same rating; IIHS applies it to 2026–27 models built after September 2025 | Same |
| Warranty | 5 yr/60,000 mi basic; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain | 5 yr/60,000 mi basic; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain | Same |
Have Us Price a 2026 and a 2027 Sorento Side by Side
Launch MSRPs are one thing; this month's clearance offers are another. Tell us which Sorento you are after, gas, Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid, the trim and color you want and the easiest way to reach you, and a Plaza Kia product specialist will send the 2026 and 2027 units that match with Plaza pricing and current Kia incentives already applied, plus a time to drive them. Usually within the hour on business days, no deposit required.
What Changed on the 2027 Kia Sorento?
The 2027 Kia Sorento changes paint and price, not hardware. Kia America describes the 2027 changes as minimal: Jungle Green is retired, Jade Black Green is added, and every gas trim costs $400 more than its 2026 launch price, with destination rising from $1,445 to $1,495. The exterior, cabin, engines and Drive Wise safety equipment carry over from the 2025 refresh and the 2026 updates.
The 2026 updates that carry into 2027 are worth knowing because they are why a 2026 and a 2027 look identical on the lot: gloss-black trim on the X-Line and X-Pro, an EX Premium Package with panoramic sunroof, Bose audio and captain's chairs, and Terrain Mode on all-wheel-drive models. For New York the Sorento's size remains the selling point: at 189.6 inches long it is 9.6 inches shorter than the 2027 Telluride, which matters on a Flatbush Avenue block.
What Is the New Jade Black Green Color on the 2027 Sorento?
Jade Black Green is the only new exterior color on the 2027 Kia Sorento. Kia moved it over from the all-new 2027 Telluride, where it sold well; it is a deep green that reads nearly black in shade and shows its color in sunlight. It replaces Jungle Green, the lighter green that had been a Sorento signature since the 2025 refresh.
If green decides it, the model year decides itself: Jungle Green is available only on a 2026 Sorento, and Jade Black Green only on a 2027. On the Sorento Hybrid, Kia also swaps Steel Gray for Pale Gray for 2027. Ask us which trims offer Jade Black Green before you set your heart on a configuration.
What Changed on the 2027 Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid?
The 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid changed more than the gas Sorento. Kia America added an X-Line EX AWD Hybrid at $43,090, made a head-up display standard on the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige, and dropped the Plug-in Hybrid EX, leaving the $53,890 X-Line SX-Prestige AWD as the only 2027 PHEV. The hybrid hardware itself carries over.
| Trim | 2026 MSRP | 2027 MSRP | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento Hybrid EX FWD | $38,890 | $39,090 | +$200 |
| Sorento Hybrid EX AWD | $40,690 | $40,890 | +$200 |
| Sorento Hybrid X-Line EX AWD | Not offered | $43,090 | New trim |
| Sorento Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige AWD | $47,190 | $47,590 | +$400; head-up display added |
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid EX AWD | $48,290 | Discontinued | Dropped |
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige AWD | $53,490 | $53,890 | +$400; head-up display added |
- Sorento Hybrid X-Line EX: Kia's 2027 features sheet lists all-wheel drive, a panoramic sunroof, Bose Premium Audio, second-row captain's chairs, gloss-black 19-inch wheels, X-Line bumpers with skid plates and a bridge-type roof rack as standard.
- Sorento Hybrid fuel economy: unchanged. The EPA rates the EX FWD at 37 mpg city, 36 highway and 37 combined, and all-wheel-drive versions at 32/35/34.
- Sorento Hybrid output: Kia's 2027 specification sheet rates the carried-over 1.6-liter turbo hybrid at 232 hp and 270 lb-ft; Kia's 2026 materials listed 227 hp and 258 lb-ft.
- Sorento Plug-in Hybrid: the 2026 PHEV makes 261 hp, and Kia rates it for up to 31 miles of electric driving and about 440 miles of total range. The 2027 X-Line SX-Prestige also adds X-Line embossed front seatbacks.
For Brooklyn traffic the Sorento Hybrid is still the Sorento to buy: its 37 mpg city rating is 14 mpg better than the 2.5-liter gas Sorento's 23. Every trim is covered in our 2027 Sorento Hybrid guide.
How Much Does the 2027 Kia Sorento Cost?
The 2027 Kia Sorento gas lineup runs from $32,590 for the LX to $47,990 for the X-Pro SX-Prestige, plus $1,495 destination (Kia America, October 1, 2026). Each trim is $400 above its 2026 launch price. Kia raised 2026 prices by $200 during the model year, so a current 2026 sticker sits $200 below the 2027.
| Trim | Engine | 2026 launch MSRP | 2027 MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX FWD | 2.5L, 186 hp | $32,190 | $32,590 |
| S FWD / AWD | 2.5L, 186 hp | $35,090 / $37,090 | $35,490 / $37,490 |
| EX FWD / AWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $38,290 / $39,790 | $38,690 / $40,190 |
| SX FWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $42,090 | $42,490 |
| X-Line EX AWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $42,590 | $42,990 |
| X-Line SX AWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $43,890 | $44,290 |
| X-Line SX-Prestige AWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $46,590 | $46,990 |
| X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD | 2.5L turbo, 274 hp | $47,590 | $47,990 |
The LX and S use the 186-hp 2.5-liter; the EX and above get the 274-hp turbo and the eight-speed dual-clutch, which is why the $6,100 LX-to-EX step is the one many buyers take. Check current Kia promotions and incentives, where a 2026 clearance offer can be worth far more than the sticker gap, explore financing, and get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your trade before you visit.
Should You Buy a Kia Sorento or the New 2027 Telluride?
The 2027 Kia Sorento is the better fit for families who need three rows but park on the street; the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride is the better fit when adults ride in the third row or you tow. At Plaza Kia this is the real showroom question: in 2026 through November 11, the Telluride outsold the Sorento about three to two.
- Size: the 2027 Kia Telluride is 199.2 inches long on a 116.9-inch wheelbase, 9.6 inches longer than the 189.6-inch Sorento.
- Third row: the Telluride has 32.1 inches of third-row legroom against 29.6 inches in the Sorento.
- Towing: the gas Telluride tows up to 5,000 pounds and the Telluride Hybrid 4,500, against 3,500 for the turbo Sorento and 4,500 for the Sorento X-Pro.
- Price: the 2027 Telluride starts at $39,190, $6,600 above the Sorento LX; the 329-hp Telluride Hybrid starts at $46,490, $7,400 above the Sorento Hybrid EX.
The Sorento's case is the one it has always made in New York: it is the three-row SUV that still parks like a two-row, and it offers a 37-mpg hybrid for $39,090. Families who use the third row daily should read Kia Sorento vs Telluride: Which Kia 3-Row SUV Should You Buy? and our 2027 Telluride Hybrid guide. Both are in stock, so browse the new Telluride too.
Every Sorento on the Lot at Plaza Kia
Below is the live list of 2026 and 2027 Sorentos at Plaza Kia in Brooklyn, gas, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, X-Line and X-Pro included. Sort by model year, trim or color to see the real gap, or call (877) 545-6543 and, when both are in stock, we will park a Jungle Green 2026 beside a Jade Black Green 2027 for you. Free delivery within 25 miles.
| MSRP | $29,215 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $28,890 |
| MSRP | $34,860 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$1,000 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $34,035 |
| MSRP | $32,765 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $32,940 |
| MSRP | $34,860 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$1,000 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $34,035 |
| MSRP | $32,765 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $32,940 |
| MSRP | $32,710 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $32,385 |
Should You Buy a 2026 or a 2027 Kia Sorento?
Buy whichever Kia Sorento model year is cheaper after incentives in the trim and color you want. The gas 2026 and 2027 Sorento are mechanically identical, so a 2026 on the lot with a clearance offer is the same SUV for less, and it is the only route to Jungle Green or a Plug-in Hybrid EX. Choose the 2027 for Jade Black Green, the new Hybrid X-Line EX, or the head-up display on an electrified X-Line SX-Prestige.
Plaza Kia keeps both years on the ground in Brooklyn, so you can compare the gas, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Sorento in one visit.
Brooklyn family, daily driving
EPA-rated 37 mpg city in either model year; the 2027 is $39,090, $200 more than a 2026 at launch price.
The new trim worth a look
All-wheel drive, panoramic sunroof, Bose audio and captain's chairs standard for $43,090, $4,500 below the Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige.
Best price on the turbo
274 hp and the dual-clutch for $38,290 at 2026 launch pricing, before clearance incentives; the 2027 EX is $38,690.
Adults in the third row
If the back seat is in daily use or you tow more than 3,500 pounds, the all-new Telluride is worth the $6,600 step up.
By the Numbers: The Sorento at Plaza Kia
Plaza Kia's 2026 Sorento sales show why the model-year question matters less than the trim question. Nearly nine in ten new Sorentos we delivered this year were 2026 models, about one in five was a Sorento Hybrid, and the Telluride outsold the Sorento about three to two.
Based on Plaza Kia CRM records of new Kia sales, January 1 – November 11, 2026, all Sorento and Telluride powertrains.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 2026 | Gas trims $400 less at launch; $50 less destination |
| Colors | Depends | Jungle Green only 2026; Jade Black Green only 2027 |
| Hybrid | 2027 | New X-Line EX trim; head-up display on X-Line SX-Prestige; $200 more on EX |
| Plug-in Hybrid | Depends | 2026 offers the lower-priced EX; 2027 adds a head-up display to the only trim |
| Powertrains | Tie | 186-hp 2.5L, 274-hp turbo and the 1.6L turbo hybrid carry over |
| Fuel economy | Tie | 26 mpg 2.5L gas, 37 mpg Hybrid FWD in both years |
| Space and towing | Tie | Same body; up to 4,500 lb on the X-Pro |
| Safety | Tie | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ applies to 2026–27 Sorentos built after September 2025 |
| Overall for NYC drivers | Buy on price | 2026 if discounted; 2027 for the new color, the Hybrid X-Line EX or the head-up display |
Still deciding? See the real redesign in 2026 vs 2027 Kia Telluride: What Changed on the All-New Model, the sibling update in 2026 vs 2027 Kia Sportage: What Changed (Gas, Hybrid and PHEV), or size the Sorento against its stablemates in Kia Sportage vs Sorento and Kia Sorento vs Telluride.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Kia is a Kia dealership on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, part of the family-owned Plaza Auto Mall group, operating since 1975, with free delivery of purchased vehicles within 25 miles and service pickup and drop-off across the NYC metro area. That delivery radius reaches most of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx and nearby Long Island and New Jersey.
Ask Our Team About Delivery2026 vs 2027 Kia Sorento: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 2026 and 2027 Kia Sorento?
Color, price and the electrified trim lineup. The 2027 Kia Sorento drops Jungle Green for Jade Black Green and raises every gas trim $400 over its 2026 launch price, with destination up $50 to $1,495. The 2027 Sorento Hybrid adds an X-Line EX AWD trim and a standard head-up display on the X-Line SX-Prestige, and the 2027 Plug-in Hybrid drops its EX trim. Engines, dimensions and the safety suite are unchanged.
How much more does the 2027 Kia Sorento cost?
$400 more per gas trim than 2026 launch pricing. The 2027 Kia Sorento LX starts at $32,590 against $32,190 for the 2026 at launch, and the X-Pro SX-Prestige is $47,990. Kia raised 2026 prices by $200 during the model year, so against a current 2026 sticker the difference is $200. Destination rises from $1,445 to $1,495.
What changed on the 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid?
A new trim, a head-up display and a $200 to $400 price step. Kia America priced the 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid on October 15, 2026 at $39,090 for the EX FWD, $40,890 for the EX AWD, $43,090 for the new X-Line EX AWD and $47,590 for the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD, which gains a standard head-up display. The 1.6-liter turbo hybrid and its EPA rating of 37 mpg combined for the EX FWD carry over.
What changed on the 2027 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid?
The EX trim is gone. Kia America priced the 2027 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid on October 19, 2026 as a single X-Line SX-Prestige AWD at $53,890, $400 more than 2026, with a standard head-up display and X-Line embossed front seatbacks. The 2026 Plug-in Hybrid EX started at $48,290.
Is the 2027 Kia Sorento a new generation?
No. The fourth-generation Kia Sorento launched for 2021 and was refreshed for 2025; the 2027 is the third year of that refresh. It is 189.6 inches long on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, seats six or seven, and keeps the 186-hp 2.5-liter and 274-hp 2.5-liter turbo engines. The all-new vehicle in Kia's lineup for 2027 is the Telluride.
How much can the 2027 Kia Sorento tow?
Up to 4,500 pounds on the X-Pro SX-Prestige. The 2027 Kia Sorento with the 2.5-liter engine is rated for 2,000 pounds, turbo models for 3,500 pounds with the towing package, and the X-Pro for 4,500 pounds, the same as 2026.
Should I buy a 2026 or a 2027 Kia Sorento?
Buy the cheaper one after incentives. A 2026 Kia Sorento in the trim you want is the same gas SUV as the 2027 and the only way to get Jungle Green or a Plug-in Hybrid EX. Choose the 2027 for Jade Black Green, the new Sorento Hybrid X-Line EX, or the head-up display on an electrified X-Line SX-Prestige. Either year carries the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Kia Sorento or 2027 Telluride: which should a New York family buy?
The Kia Sorento if you need three rows in a vehicle that still parks on a Brooklyn street: it is 9.6 inches shorter than the 199.2-inch 2027 Telluride, starts $6,600 lower and offers a 37-mpg hybrid from $39,090. The 2027 Kia Telluride if adults ride in the third row, you tow up to 5,000 pounds, or you want the 329-hp Telluride Hybrid from $46,490. Plaza Kia stocks both.
Compare Both Sorentos at Plaza Kia
Plaza Kia at 2746 Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn has the 2027 Sorento arriving next to remaining 2026 gas, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models, with the all-new Telluride a few spaces over, so you can settle the model-year question and the Sorento-or-Telluride question in one visit. Plaza Auto Mall has been family-owned on Nostrand Avenue since 1975. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Browse new Sorento inventory and Sorento Hybrid inventory, see every Sorento in stock, new and pre-owned, book service or call (877) 545-6543.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,445 at 2026 launch, $1,495 for 2027), taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on Kia America information available as of November 12, 2026 and are subject to change; 2026 gas figures are Kia's launch prices, which Kia raised by $200 during the model year. Towing varies by configuration. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.